Madison Snaps: October 20, 2006

Today's image is titled East Wash and was photographed by Aaron Kraus.

Also designated U.S. Route 151, East Washington Avenue is the spine bisecting the east and north sides of Madison. Beginning at the Capitol Square, East Wash as its known runs northeast through half of the city until it intersects with the interstate and takes on its primary role as the highway to Fond du Lac. Considered a primary gateway to the city, the street bears a strong reputation for both its Capitol view and as a major thoroughfare for teenaged cruising and drag-racing. It has also been considered an unaesthetic stretch of road, an impetus for the East Washington Avenue Reconstruction Project, which runs from 2004 through 2009. Kraus' photograph depicts the southwestern terminus of the avenue as running from Few Street to the Square. The 2007 phase of the reconstruction is set run along the central stretch of the road from Second Street to Marquette Street.